Declan, tonight, as I gave you little kisses all over your face, I heard your first baby cooing noises and I wanted to pause time, indefinitely. I was filled with utter delight with you and who I see you already becoming and simultaneously I felt inexplicable pain that life is so fleeting and THESE moments pass us by so quickly, shoving us into the next moment, next day, next season. Your spontaneous and frequent smiles, your scrootching noises, the way you snuggle into my neck so contentedly, your big blue eyes, and your expressive hands - observing these things (and so many more) brings me endless joy and makes me wish to savor every moment I'm given. It is moments like these that make it worth sifting through the suffering in this life.